This organisation was established in 1910 pursuant to Statute No. 43 of 1909. The Act consolidated water supply, sewerage and drainage schemes under one administration, directly responsible to the Minister of Water Supply, Sewerage and Drainage.

Between August 1912 to April 1918 the Department was administered by and integrated with the Water Supply, Sewerage and Drainage Department (MWSS & DD). The MWSS & DD's status as a separate Department was not re-established until July 1921.

In October 1925 the Engineering staff of the Department come once more under the direct supervision of the Public Works Department's Chief Engineer. There was thereafter a pooling of staff resources, and accommodation between the two Departments. Three water supply, sewerage and drainage districts were gazetted as constituting the Metropolitan Area in January 1910. These districts were Perth, Claremont and Fremantle where water supply and sewerage schemes already existed. In 1914 Guildford, Midland and Armadale were also included in the Metropolitan Area.

In September 1963 the Liberal Government introduced a Metropolitan Water Supply Sewerage and Drainage Amendment Bill with the intention of substituting Board for Departmental control. The Act was promulgated in November 1963 and a new administrative structure established by July 1964.

The Metropolitan Water Supply Sewerage & Drainage Board was established on the 1 July 1964 to operate as a Board with borrowing powers similar to other State owned enterprises. The Board initially consisted of seven members, all viceregal appointees.